Pyrophoric lighting mechanism



Jan- 11, 1938- L. v. ARoNsoN 2,104,964

PYROPHORIC LIGHTING MECHANI SM Filed March 29, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Louis T/.l/lromson )25a/142C, (267 5M ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,104,964 mornoaro LIGHTING MEcHANrsM Louis V. Aronson, Newark, N. J., assignor to Art Metal Works, Inc., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 29, 1935, Serial No. 13,626

3 Claims. (CL 674.1)

My invention relates to pyrophoric lighting mechanism utilizable for any desired purpose such, for example, as the ignition of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.

My invention in an important phase thereof has particular reference to lighting mechanism including a sparking unit adapted to be momentarily connected to a spring motor, or equivalent, so that a shower of sparks may be projected toward and into engagement with the wick of said lighting mechanism.

Various other objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following description.

My invention resides in the pyrophoric lighting mechanism, arrangements, features and combinations of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of some of the many forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of pyrophoric lighting mechanism as constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken on the line 3-3 39 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a plan View, partly in section, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, corresponding generally with Fig. 2 but showing some of the parts in different positions;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a modified detail of the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7.

In general, my invention has reference to a combination including a pyrophoric sparking device and an operating motor therefor, the motor being adapted to momentarily operate said sparking device when desired in order to produce a shower of sparks which ignite a charge of fuel carried by the wick of the pyrophoric lighting mechanism. More particularly, the wick of the lighting mechanism forms a part of a torch which, while held in the hand of the operator,

is adapted to actuate a member whereby the aforesaid motor is utilized momentarily for operating the sparking device.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for an illustration of one of the many forms of my novel 5 mechanism, C represents a main casing which, in the form of the invention herein shown, has a top wall I detachably secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by the screws 2. Depending from and secured to the wall I are the frame 10 members 3, 3a which preferably are disposed in generally parallel relation as shown in Fig. 3.

Journaled in the frame members 3, 3a is a shaft which has a ratchet wheel 5 secured thereto so as to be rotatable therewith. In order 15 to prevent counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 4, Figs. 2 and 5, a pawl 6 is pivoted on the frame member 3 and said pawl 6 is engaged by a spring 1 whereby the pawl is biased into engagement with the ratchet wheel 5. 20

As shown in Fig. 6, a disk 8, loosely mounted on the shaft 4 carries a cylindrical drum 9 which projects laterally from said disk 8 and engages another disk l0 likewise mounted on the shaft Li. As clearly appears from a consideration of 25 Fig. 6, the disk 8, drum 9 and disk I0 form a. housing for a helical leaf spring II secured at one of its ends to the shaft 4 and securedv at its other end to the drum 9. As shown in Fig.

6, the hub 5a of the aforesaid ratchet wheel 5 30 serves to retain the disks 8 and I0 together with the drum 9 in predetermined operative position as shown. For a purpose hereinafter to be described, the aforesaid disk 8 is of circular configuration and provided with gear teeth on its 35 periphery whereby it is capable of serving as a driving gear.

In accordance with the invention, a pyrophoric spark-producing device or unit is supported by the casing C in any suitable manner. To this 40 end, a housing I2 is suitably secured, as by the screws I3, to the upper surface of the casing top wall I. Extending horizontally through the housing I2 and journaled therein for free rotatable movement is a shaft I4 to which are fixed 45 a pair of side-by-side wheels I5 and I6, the former being a gear wheel and the latter being serrated on its outer peripheral face.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6, the top casing wall I isapertured as indicated at Ia so that the 50 aforesaid disk gear 6 may extend thereabove and be disposed in meshing relation with the gear wheel I5 which is supported by the shaft I4 d1- rectly above said disk gear 8.

Coactable with the serrated wheel I6 is a 55 pyrophoric element I1 which in part projects from a tube I8 extending downwardly through the top casing wall I and being anchored therein and in a flange 3b of the frame member 3, Fig. 6. A helical spring I9 is disposed in the tube I8 and is held under compression by a cap 20 so'as to hold the pyrophoric element I1 in engagement with the serrated wheel I6. As the parts are positioned in Figs. 2 and 5, it will be obvious that rotation of the serrated wheel I6 in a counterclockwise direction produces a shower of sparks which pass from the housing I2 through an opening I2a. formed therein particularly as indicated in Fig. 5.

In accordance with my invention, a manually controlled arrangement is provided which permits the disk gear 8 to partake of a step of rotative movement wheneverv itbecomes desirable to produce a shower of sparks at the serrated wheel I 6.-

Any one of a variety of mechanical arrangements may thus be utilized such, for example, as herein shown as comprising a shaft 2I journaled transversely in the frame members 3i, 3a. Fixed to the shaft 2| for rotatable movement therewith is a pinion 22 and an escapement disk 23. As shown in Fig. 5, the pinion 22 is disposed in meshing engagement with the aforesaid disk gear 8. Further, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, a vertically extending member 24 is mounted at one side of but closely adjacent the escapement disk 23. The lower end of the member 24 is disposed for sliding movement in a flange 3c of the frame member 3, Fig. 3, while the upper end of said member 24 is mounted for free sliding movement in the top wall I of the casing C. As illustrated, a member 25, positioned above said top wall I, is suitably secured to the upper end of 'said member 24 so as to be movable therewith as a unit. As shown in Fig. 1, the member 25 may be provided with a recess or depression 25a, Fig. 1, utilizable as hereinafter described. The above described member 24 supports upper and lower holding pawls 26, 26a, these being utilizable in the manner hereinafter described. With the form of the invention herein illustrated, the member 24 is suitably biased to an upper position by a helical spring 21, Fig. 3, the lower end of which is secured to a lug projecting laterally from said member 24 and the upper end of which is secured to a hook depending from the casing top wall I.

As hereinbefore stated, the spark-producing mechanism of the disclosed form of my invention is adapted to be actuated by a torch member. This torchV member may be of any suitable character and it may be associated with the casing C in any suitable manner.

As illustrative of one satisfactory arrangement for associating a torch with the casing C, I have shown the top casing wall as provided with a passage through which extends the upper end of a tubular member 28. A sleeve nut 29 threaded to the tubular member 28 above the casing wall I serves to positively anchor said member 28 in vertical position as shown. The lower end of the member 28 communicates with and is suitably secured to a fuel casing F so as to support the same in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. If desired, the casing F may contain a tubular absorbent structure 38, the vertical passage of which is disposed in vertical alinement with the passage defined by the tubular member 2,8. Otherwise as is usual, the casing F may contain absorbent material for suitable fuel and access may be had to said casing F, for fuel-charging purposes, upon removal of a closure cap 3l, Fig. 2.

The above described tubular member 28 serves as a housing for the torch member T which has an upper handle section 32 terminating in a lower flange 33 adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the tubular member 28. The torch proper comprises a tubular member 34 within which is disposed a tubular wick member 35 and a centering metallic core member 36, the wick 35 and member 36 projecting from the lower end of the tubular member 34.

As regards the torch member T and the pocket arrangement therefor interiorly of the fuel casing F, it shall be. understood that various modifications may be made as desired. Thus, these arrangements, if desired, may correspond with the generally similar arrangements illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,986,754, and in applications Serial No. 727,060 led May 23, 1934, No. 727,061, led May 23, 1934, and No. 749,903, filed October 25, 1934.

In view of the foregoing description, it will clearly be understood that, in the disclosed form of the invention although not necessarily-the operating mechanism, the torch and the fuel casing are all disposed interiorly of the casing C and supported by the top casing wall I. With the' form.of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1-6 inclusive, an opening is formed in the casing C opposite one end of the shaft 4 so that a winding disk or key 31 may be secured to said shaft, this arrangement being provided, as will readily be understood, so that the motor formed by the spring II may be wound to store energy therein when that becomes necessary.

Normally, the torch T takes the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. When thus positioned, the tubular member 28 is substantially sealed by the knob arrangement at the upper end of the torch T and, accordingly, wastage of fuel to the atmosphere from the fuel casing F is thereby prevented. Further, when positioned as shown in said Fig. 3, the lower exposed end of the wick 35 is so disposed as to absorb fuel from the supply thereof contained in 'the fuel casing F.

In Fig. 2, the parts are shown in the normal respective positions assumed thereby at the conclusion of any cycle of operation. As illustrated, the holding pawl 26a is in the path of the teeth on the escapement disk 23. Accordingly, counterclockwise movement, Fig. 2, of the disk 23 and pinion 22 is prevented. The disk gear 8, under the influence of the spring Il, when the latter is wound, tends to rotate in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, but, as will be understood, the pawl 26a. when engaged with the escapement disk 23 as shown, prevents such clockwise rotation of the disk gear 8.

In order to effect operation of the disclosed mechanism, the torch T is removed from the tubular member 28 and the lower end'thereof is placed in engagement with the member 25. Then, by the application of downward pressure, the member 24 is moved downwardly to move the pawl 26a out of the path of the escapement disk teeth and to move the pawl 26 into said path. When the pawl 26a is disengaged from the adjacent escapement tooth disk, the latter, under the influence of the pinion 22, disk gear 8, and spring Il, is caused to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Flg. 2 through an arc of slightly less than degrees or until an escapement disk tooth comes into engagement with the pawl 26 as shown in Fig. 5.

The movement of the disk gear 8 as last described is in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5. and this movement is transmitted to the gear wheel I5 and to the serrated wheel I6. As a result, a shower of pyrophoric sparks are produced as indicated in Fig. 5, these sparks igniting the charge of fuel carried by the lower exposed end of the wick 35to produce a freely burning iiame. 'Ihis action is effected in an instant and. when com.- pleted, the torch T may be removed and passed about or from hand to hand to perform any desired or suitable lighting operation.

When the lower end of the torch T is removed from the member 25, the spring 21 becomes effective to elevate the member 24 whereby the pawl 26a is moved into the path of the escapement disk teeth and the pawl 26 out of said path. As a result, there occurs a further slight rotative movement of the escapement disk 23 and the disk gear 8 in the respective directions described above, this movement persisting until the lowermost escapement tooth, Fig. 5, has moved sufciently to come into engagement with the ratchet tooth 26a. At the completion of the movement last described, the parts are again in normal position as shownin Fig. 2.

Obviously, the disk 31 may be rotated by hand each time that it becomes necessary to Wind the spring II. When the spring II has been completely wound, the spark-producing' unit may be operated a multiplicity of times in the manner heretofore described before it becomes necessary again to wind said spring II. 1

In Figs. '7 and 8, I have illustrated a modified arrangement for winding the spring II. Thus, as shown, a. peripherally serrated or roughened disk 4a is secured to the shaft 4 for rotatable movement therewith, this disk 4a extending upwardly through apertures formed in the -top casing wall I and in the housing I2. As clearly appears from a consideration of Fig. 8, the relation of some, of the parts of the modied form of the invention differs from the relation shown in Figs. 1-6 inclusive. That is, in Fig. 8, the drum 9 on the one hand and the ratchet wheel 5, pawl 6 on the other hand are shown as positioned o n different respective sides of the disk gear 8 than in the preferred form of the invention. This arrangement Was necessarily adopted so that an actuating member, such as the disk la, might be extended above the top wall I without interfering with the operation of the wheels I5 and I6.

Inview of the foregoing, it will be understood that the spring motor of Figs. 7 and 8 may be wound in response to manipulation of the disk 4a by thumb or nger action to thereby rotate the shaft 4 and wind the spring II. In other respects, the two forms of my invention hereinbefore described operate inthe same manner and, therefore, further description of the operation of Figs. 7 and 8 is considered unnecessary.

My invention, as herein described, has reference to a particular form of lighting mechanism, i. e., one comprising a torch member and a spring motor, the latter being successively operated in order to actuate the spark-producing mechanism. It shall be distinctly understood that the invention is not to be limited to a lighting mechanism comprising a torch member because, if desired, the spring motor arrangement may be utilized for operating other types of lighters such, for example, as the conventional fixed wick types.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modiiications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modication's.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pyrophoric lighter, a sparking device comprising relatively movable members one of which is a pyrophoric element and another of which is a serrated element coactable therewith, potent-iai energy means, mechanism for successively releasing increments of energy from said potential energy means so as to produce relative movement between said members to thereby operatc said sparking device once in response to the release of each increment of energy, a torch arrangement for operating said mechanism, said torch arrangement 'comprising a wick positioned, when said mechanism is operated, in the path of sparks produced by said sparking device, and means independentof said torch arrangement for supplying energy to said potential energy means.

2. In a pyrophoric lighter, a sparking device comprising relatively movable members one of which is a pyrophoric element and another of which is a serrated element coactable therewith, a spring motor, means for supplying said spring motor with energy suiiicient to operate said sparking device a plurality of times, mechanism for releasing an increment of said energy to thereby operate said sparking device, and a torch arrangement for operating saidmechanism, said torch arrangement comprising a wick positioned,`when said mechanism is operated, in the path of sparks produced by said sparking device.

3. In a pyrophoric lighter, a fuel receptacle, a sparking device comprising a serrated member and a coacting pyrophoric element, a spring motor permanently connected to said sparking device, escapement means for momentarily releasing said spring motor to operate said sparking device, an actuating member ,for operating said escapement means, said actuating member being positioned in the path of sparks projected from said sparking device, and a manually operable torch engageable withl said actuating member to thereby move the same, said actuating member, when in actuated position, holding said torch in said path of sparks.

LOUIS V. ARONSON. 

